SWISHAS are off to a strong start in the Win Pacific Corporation Invitational Basketball League 2024 after stunning Unity Trade, 93-74, at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Tuesday.
It was a fairly even match throughout most of the game.
The first quarter was filled with exchanges on both ends of the court. Unity Trade’s strength came from their defensive efforts as they turned each successful stop into a transition play led by Christian De Vero with six points from inside the paint.
Swishas kept the scale balanced as they excelled on the offensive end with great ball movement, which created open looks. Steve King stood at the frontline with seven points and was supported by Matt Duenas and JR Galang to give their team a slight edge after the first 10 minutes of play, 19-16.
In the second period, Unity Trade gradually closed the distance. Their defensive strategy minimized King’s output to just two points, but they still had Jay Gatbonton and Duenas to deal with. Unity Trade’s Christian De Vero, however, took over the last three minutes, scoring eight consecutive points to seize the lead by halftime, 37-34.
The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the third quarter with Paul Manansala and Elmer Esdrelon joining the fray in hopes of keeping Unity Trade afloat. But their reign was short-lived as their defense played a bit too aggressively and committed unnecessary fouls, which gave Swishas a handful of shots from the charity line to eventually regain the upper hand, 60-56.
At this point, fatigue started to affect the performance of Unity Trade’s main scorers. Swishas, for their part, were saved by King as he suddenly found his stroke from beyond the arc, connecting five consecutive triples to push a double-digit spread en route to victory, 93-74.
One Pacific vs UMI
Also notching a win that night was One Pacific, which slipped past UMI, 59-56.
One Pacific controlled the pace throughout the first three quarters, thanks to Keith Santos, who maintained efficiency on the offensive end as the leading scorer. His court vision was also crucial as he constantly fed his teammates in transition. With their combined efforts, their team had a nine-point advantage by the end of the third quarter, 54-45.
UMI fought back in the final quarter and held One Pacific to just five points, but it was still not enough as One Pacific held on long enough to escape with the win, 59-56.
Scores
Swishas 93 – Steve King 34, Matt Duenas 24, Francis Gutierrez 11, Jay Palmes 9, Andrew Sy 5, Jay Gatbonton 4, Junie Somgram 4, Arfin Chua 4, JR Galang 3
Unity Trade 74 – Christian De Vero 21, Paul Manansala 14, Joel Javier 8, Dhan Mateo 8, Elmer Esdrelon 6, Ivan De Vero 6, Su Diwa 3, John De Vero 3, Reymark Castro 2
***
One Pacific 59 – Keith Santos 17, Justine Enano 12, Nyrel Eugenio 9, Raymond Atencio 8, John Bayking 6, Maverick Itibus 2, Jeter Medina 2, Tristan Montes 2, Jayson Serrano 1
UMI 56 – Ricky Pangilinan 17, Trustan Movilla 17, Alvin Pantola 7, AJ Felix 4, Dhey Qiambao 3, Jaypee Jose 3, Eugene Lacanilao 2, Chris Lilis 2, Elmer Dedulo 1
Swisha’s Matt Duenas gets fouled as he extends for the finish during a game against Unity Trade in the semi-open division of the Win Pacific Corporation Invitational Basketball League 2024 at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
Unity Trade’s Reymark Castro makes contact as he goes up for the finish during a game against Swishas in the semi-open division of the Win Pacific Corporation Invitational Basketball League 2024 at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
Swisha’s Steve King is Player of the Game.
One Pacific’s Keith Santos is the other Player of the Game.
